Petra, Jordan. The magnificent Treasury, Al-Khazneh, probably dates from around the reign of Aretas IV. Its Corinthian columns, pediments, tholos and sculptural decoration reveal strong Hellenistic influence, transformed by Nabataean craftsmen into one of the ancient world’s most distinctive architectural creations.Petra. Jordan. A donkey rests above the spectacular rock formations and dramatic and rugged landscape of the vast, ancient rose-red city of Petra.Petra. Jordan. Sweeping view of the legendary Monastery, which is the most awe-inspiring monument in the ancient rose-red city of Petra. Dating from the late first or second century CE,, the hills hide the Monastery, and it takes at least 60 minutes to climb to it from the ancient city’s centre. Carved into the side of a mountain, the Monastery’s timeless Hellenistic facade is similar in design to that of the Treasury, although far larger at 45 meters high and 50 meters wide.Petra. Jordan. The legendary Monastery which is the most awe-inspiring monument in the ancient rose-red city of Petra. Dating from the late first or second century CE, the hills hide the Monastery, and it takes at least 60 minutes to climb to it from the ancient city’s centre. Carved into the side of a mountain, the Monastery’s timeless Hellenistic facade is similar in design to that of the Treasury, although far larger at 45 meters high and 50 meters wide.Petra. Jordan. View of the remains of the imposing Temenos Gate, which dates from the 2nd century CE and marked the end of the commercial area and the entrance to the sacred precinct.Petra. Jordan. View of a few of the remaining upright columns that once lined the Roman Cardo Maximus, or Colonnaded Street, in the city centre of Petra.Petra. Jordan. View of the monumental Royal tombs which are carved into the East Cliff or El-Khubtha mountain of Petra. The tombs from left-to-right are: the Palace tomb, Corinthian tomb, Silk tomb and the Urn tomb. They served as burial places for Petra’s kings and queens, as well as for wealthy citizens.Petra. Jordan. Views of the imposing Temenos Gate in the foreground, and in the background are the facades of the Royal tombs, carved in the East cliff of Petra.Petra. Jordan. View of the 1st-century classical-styled theatre at the Red Rose city of Petra. The Nabataeans built the theatre using a Hellenistic design, and the Romans renovated and enlarged it when they arrived in 106 CE. The theatre could accommodate around 8500 people.Petra. Jordan. View of some of the tomb facades from the Street of Facades at the Red Rose city of Petra. The street of facades has four levels of tightly packed carved tombs, some with simple cornices incorporating crow-step styling.Petra. Jordan. View of some of the tomb facades from the Street of Facades and the classical theatre at the Red Rose city of Petra. The street of facades has four levels of tightly packed carved tombs, some with simple cornices incorporating crow-step styling. The Classical styled theatre dates from the 1st century CE.Petra, Jordan. The magnificent Treasury, Al-Khazneh, probably dates from around the reign of Aretas IV. Its Corinthian columns, pediments, tholos, and sculptural decoration reveal strong Hellenistic influence, transformed by Nabataean craftspeople into one of the ancient world’s most distinctive architectural creations.Petra, Jordan. The magnificent Treasury, Al-Khazneh, probably dates from around the reign of Aretas IV. Its Corinthian columns, pediments, tholos and sculptural decoration reveal strong Hellenistic influence, transformed by Nabataean craftsmen into one of the ancient world’s most distinctive architectural creations.Petra, Jordan. The magnificent Treasury, Al-Khazneh, probably dates from around the reign of Aretas IV. Its Corinthian columns, pediments, tholos, and sculptural decoration reveal strong Hellenistic influence, transformed by Nabataean craftsmen into one of the ancient world’s most distinctive architectural creations.Petra, Jordan. At the end of the Siq’s narrow canyon walls, the Hellenistic, elegant facade of the world-famous Treasury building dramatically appears in Petra, the Red Rose City. The magnificent Treasury, Al-Khazneh, probably dates from around the reign of Aretas IV. Its Corinthian columns, pediments, tholos, and sculptural decoration reveal strong Hellenistic influence, transformed by Nabataean craftsmen into one of the ancient world’s most distinctive architectural creations.Petra. Jordan. View of tourists walking through the narrow ravine known as the Siq, which gives a spectacular introduction and entrance to the ancient city. Formed by tectonic forces, the Siq split the mountain in two. The Siq is 1200 metres long, up to 80 metres high in sections, and at its narrowest point the walls are only two metres apart.Petra. Jordan. View of tourists walking through the narrow ravine known as the Siq, which gives a spectacular introduction and entrance to the ancient city. Formed by tectonic forces, spilt the mountain in two, the Siq is 1200 metres long, up to 80 metres high in sections, and at its narrowest point the walls are only two metres apart.Petra. Jordan. View of the Obelisk Tomb and Bab as-Siq Triclinium, Nabatean monuments on the path to the Siq. The upper tomb is the Obelisk tomb, which dates from around the 1st century CE and is of Egyptian influence with its four pyramid obelisks, and the lower tomb, the Triclinium, dates earlier and has a Hellenistic styling.Petra. Jordan. View of one of the three Djinn or spirit blocks that confront tourists on the modern gravel path that winds down through the Bab al-Siq – Gate of the Siq. The carved, cube-shaped blocks date from around the 1st century and, according to Nabatean tradition, were the dwelling place of the spirits’ guardians.Petra. Jordan. View of tourists on the modern gravel path that winds down through the Bab al-Siq – Gate of the Siq. On the left are the Obelisk Tomb and Bab as-Siq Triclinium and in the distance is lunar like landscape of the white cliffs.
